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Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year should not ride forward-facing. In a crash their weak neck muscles could stretch and cause serious injuries.

Switch to FF instead of FF once your child reaches the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum for the new car seat). Please review your car seat instructions.

Safety

In the event of a crash, good infant car seats car seats are designed to protect your child's neck and head. The forward facing position can also prevent your child from hitting their head on the back of the car seat, which could result in serious injuries.

All infant seats that face forward have five-point harnesses, which can secure the child by pulling the straps. The carrier shell is lined with energy-absorbing foam EPS for better impact protection. Some have an umbrella to protect from the sun.

The best infant carseats will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster, that allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head to stop them from falling over in a crash. The top tether strap is connected to the vehicle's tether anchor and extends from the top. It's important to keep in mind that your child might not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual for the seat you're using.

When your child reaches 20 lbs and one year is the right time to change. Children and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks that could cause whiplash when they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common type) they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats shield the neck of children under one year old by cushioning their head.

When children transition to a forward facing car seat, they require a convertible or an all-in-one that has a heavy rearward weight and height limit. They shouldn't be pushed to an adult car seat until they have met the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements which is usually about age 4 or 5. It is evident the difference in these carseats when you look at these crash videos, but remember that the footage is slow-motion. A child could be injured when they move too fast.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat allows your child to ride in comfort and stay secure during an accident. The seat has a comfortable headrest and a body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing cover to shield your child from the impact. The seat also has a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening, and an adjustable center front adjuster to ensure your child is in the right position. A retractable canopy helps protect your child from direct sunlight. To ensure safety the seat is designed to be secured by the vehicle's seat belt and has an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use.

If your baby complains of discomfort or seems to slump forward when sleeping, it may be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing a towel that is tightly folded on the front of your car seat. If this isn't working, bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will check the angle of the car seat.

Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are not strong enough to take the force of a crash, if they were to fall to their front on their own. Some experts recommend waiting longer since the muscles and bones of children are more flexible.

Many parents choose to purchase convertible car seats that lets their infants be rear-facing until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This lets them benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing car seat for longer and is easier for parents as they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing one when their child outgrows it.

The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat gives your child 10 years of car seat use in just one seat, ranging from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high back booster (30-100 lb) to backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lbs). It's simple and easy to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, without re-threading.

Convenience

A forward-facing infant car seat is an excellent option for traveling with a toddler. It allows you to see your child's view while driving, and allows everyone else in the family to enter the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. This type of car seat can also be used with a stroller, making it easier to get your toddler into and out of the car to go to the grocery store or other chores.

But that even when your child is old enough to switch to a forward-facing car seat, it's safer to keep them rear-facing the longest time possible. From the point of view of crash tests, a child’s head is more secure in a crash if they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that when facing backwards, the entire body, including the head, neck and torso, are cradled in the car seat's rear.

You should check the instructions provided by the manufacturer on how to turn your child's car seat around. You will find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, as well specific rules about things like the crotch strap's location. These guidelines are designed to protect your child as they develop.

Another thing to consider is if you have an automobile with tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, you must make sure that the strap is properly fitted and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle as instructed in the seat's manual. Also, ensure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are on or just below their shoulders, and are not too low or high. This will affect how they are secured during an accident.

A great option for parents who have multiple children or are planning to have more, is convertible car seats. This is a convertible car seat that can be used as an infant rear-facing car seat and then moved to a forward-facing car seat when your child reaches the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

You've spent a lot of time and effort in choosing the best car seat newborn lightweight baby car seat car seat for your child. However, as they age and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants, you might be wondering if it's the right time to flip them around.

While the idea of facing your child forward is exciting, there are some important safety factors to consider. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limits.

Remember that children vary in size and age. Don't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar or if you believe they have reached their maximum amount of legroom. A child might appear larger in the rear-facing car seat however, that doesn't mean that it's safe for turning them around, since their spine and bones aren't fully developed.

It's recommended that you keep your child rear facing until they reach one year old, and some infant car seats come with an inbuilt reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children younger than one year old do not have enough neck muscles that can be able to withstand a collision with a frontal force, which could result in serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being safe and secure, many infant car seats have useful features that make them simple to use. These include bases that remain connected to the car and snap in and out to allow you to transport your child from stroller to car or back to the car and are often paired with a frame stroller to form part of a travel system.

If you're about to transition your child to a forward-facing convertible car seat make sure you do so correctly by following the manufacturer's guidelines and checking the car seat for tightness. When installed properly the car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back, and the harness straps must be placed at or above your child's shoulders. If you have any questions or concerns you should talk to a certified car seat safety technician in your region or contact the manufacturer of your car seat.